1
as in admitting
to make an acknowledgment of something unpleasant as true or valid
the thief confessed to dozens of robberies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in acknowledging
to accept the truth or existence of (something) usually reluctantly
political prisoners, under threat of torture, forced to confess their guilt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of confessing
In October 2014, TMZ obtained an audio recording of Collins allegedly confessing in a 2012 joint therapy session with then-wife Faye Grant to molesting underage girls.
—
Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Robinson left a handwritten note for his romantic partner confessing to the crime, and also confessed to friends on the chat room platform Discord, prosecutors said.
—Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
However, Bundy reportedly failed to recall if Aime was among his victims while confessing to several homicides throughout Utah.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
District Attorney Vern Pierson thinks meeting with Denise – in particular – may have been Muller's objective for confessing all along.
—Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
California metal vets Neurosis have surprised-released An Undying Love for a Burning World, their first album in a decade, and first since co-founder Scott Kelly left the band after confessing to domestic abuse.
—Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
The emergence of the mysterious key in Homer and Plumb’s possession has spooked him off from confessing any further.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
That might include compulsive reassurance-seeking—constantly asking a partner for validation—or repeatedly confessing whenever feelings fluctuate.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Mar. 2026
So did confessing to a crime, oddly.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026
Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Robinson left a handwritten note for his romantic partner confessing to the crime, and also confessed to friends on the chat room platform Discord, prosecutors said.
—Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
However, Bundy reportedly failed to recall if Aime was among his victims while confessing to several homicides throughout Utah.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
District Attorney Vern Pierson thinks meeting with Denise – in particular – may have been Muller's objective for confessing all along.
—Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
California metal vets Neurosis have surprised-released An Undying Love for a Burning World, their first album in a decade, and first since co-founder Scott Kelly left the band after confessing to domestic abuse.
—Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
The emergence of the mysterious key in Homer and Plumb’s possession has spooked him off from confessing any further.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
That might include compulsive reassurance-seeking—constantly asking a partner for validation—or repeatedly confessing whenever feelings fluctuate.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Mar. 2026
So did confessing to a crime, oddly.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confessing
Verb
-
By its final years, the hall mostly hosted dancing, admitting men for 50 cents and women free of charge.—
Graham Womack
May 2,
Sacbee.com,
2 May 2026
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Monica Lewinsky is admitting what led her to make choices that helped ignite one of Washington’s biggest scandals.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
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While acknowledging that antisemites may have good characteristics—a loving husband, a generous and conscientious citizen—Sartre claimed that their hatred ultimately defines them.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
8 May 2026
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The event created space for conversation about how advances in at‑home beauty devices are becoming part of evolving personal care routines, while acknowledging the experiences of people navigating hormonal conditions that can affect skin and hair growth.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confessing. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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